Enthusiasts and collectors who want to drive a supercar in the state of South Australia will need to earn a license to do so as of December 1, 2024. The Australian jurisdiction announced the adoption of the new licensing scheme, as well as tougher penalties for dangerous drivers, this week.
The rule was proposed last summer, following the tragic death of Sophia Naismith. The 15-year-old was killed by the driver of a Lamborghini Huracan while walking on a footpath outside a restaurant.
Now that new rules have been cemented, it won’t surprise you to learn that drivers of supercars like the Huracan will be required to earn the “U license” for “ultra high-power vehicles” (UHPV). Drive reports that around 200 models will fall into the category.
South Australia defines any vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4,500 kg (9,920 lbs) that has a power-to-weight ratio of more than 276 kW (370 hp/375 PS) per tonne (1,000 kg/2,200 lbs) as a UHPV. Buses and motorcycles will be exempt from this rule.
Anyone who wants to get a U class license will have to complete an online training course that is still under development. The course will seek to ensure that drivers of UHPVs are aware of the risks associated with handling these vehicles, and their common features.
In addition, the drivers of UHPVs will be required to keep safety features such as ABS, traction control, and stability control on. If they turn them off on public roads, they can face fines of up to $5,000 AUD ($3,271 USD at current exchange rates).
Finally, the state is making penalties for drivers involved in fatal accidents stricter. It will make causing death or serious harm by careless use of a vehicle a mid-tier indictable offense, raising the maximum penalty from 12 months to five years for a basic charge, per Which Car. If the offense is aggravated (such as by the presence of alcohol or drugs in the driver’s system), the penalty can go up to seven years, and a minimum three-year license disqualification.
“These reforms will ensure people who drive ultra high-powered vehicles take greater responsibility for their actions while making sure that authorities have the power to prosecute those who flout our road laws and put others’ lives at risk,” said South Australia attorney-general, Kyam Maher.